It's really not much extra on the battery leads. Actually, all I have is a couple of extra inches (~4") to make the series connector for my two 6s packs. Didn't see any detriment from not running an extra cap pack.

Regarding the scoop, there's nothing else providing air except the scoop itself.
Does just fine for us AZ boys... but it's a dry heat.

I flew it myself, I flew it myself, I flew it and it came home in 100% condition. Yes.

I have the 8s stock setup, not the fastest but fast enough for me. Took off in 300 feet with little up elevator, 15 degrees of flap, no trim needed. Flew on on rails, nothing fancy. Flaps off and on, no adverse pitch, but I programmed a 2 second slow down. Landed with 15 degrees of flaps.

I slowed it down on final like a trainer, started the flare two feet above the runway and it floated 200 feet then full up elevator for the final stall. The elevator was really ineffective at that slow speed, the plane touched down level and skipped about 2 inches above, I pushed full down elevator and planted it on the wheels. However it still had enough speed to run off the end of the runway into the soft dirt. No damage...perfect.

There is lots of humor to post, but I will do it later. I was all smiles, I knew that I was going to love this plane.

Al, use more like 30-40 deg of flaps, really helps slow it down and reduce the final approach, i too find the elev a little weak at low speed, so i programmed a little extra up on my high rates. the glide rate is really suprising, and you have to land it more like a sport plane then a typical "jet". i guess this is where the "sport jet" name comes into play lol.

Where are you running your CG? Elevator does get a little softer at slow speeds, but is still plenty for a nice soft landing at 4.5" back using recommended throws. I do like C/N though, run a slightly higher throw for my High Rates.